The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-12-15

terial for use its cost is not only in
creased to the extent of The farmor's
tariff profit but a further sum has
been added for the benefit of the
manufacturer under the operation OF
other tariff laws. In the meantime
the day arrives when the farmer
finds it necessary topurchase wooden
clothes and material to slothe him.
self and family for the winter. When
he faces the tradesman for that puT-
pose he discovers that he is obliged
not only to return in the way of in
creased prices his tariff profit on the
wool he sold and which then perhaps
lies before him in manufactured form
but that he must add a considerable
sam thereto to meet a further in
crease in cost caused by a tariff
duty on the manufacture. Thus
in the end he is aroused to the
fact that he has paid upon a mode
rate purchase as result of the tariff
scheme, which when he sold his
wool seemed so profitable, an increas-
ed price more than sufficient to sweep
away all the tariff profit he received
up on the wool he produced and sold.
When the number of farmers engaged
. wool raising is compared with all
the farmers in the country and the
small proportion they bear to our
population is considered; when it is
made apparent that in the case of
large part of those who own sheep
the benefit of the present tariff on
wool is illusory; and, above all,
when it must be conceded that the
increase of the cost of living caused
by such tariff becomes burden
upon those with moderate means and
the poor-the employed and the un-
employed, the sick and the well, the
young and the old-and that it con-
stitutes q tax which, with relentless
grasp, is fastened upon the Clothing
of every man, woman and child in
land. the reasons are suggested why
the removal or reduction of this duty
should be included in revision of
our tariff laws. In speaking of the
increased cost to the consumer of our
home manufactures-resu from
a duty laid upon imported articles Of
the same description--th6 fact is not
overlooked that competitionDmong
our domestic producers sometimes
has the effect of helping the price of
their products below the highest linn
it allowed by such duty.
TRUSTS.
But it is notorious that this CON-
-
combinations quite prevalent at this
time and frequently called trusts
which have for their object the regu-
lation of the supply and price of com
modities made and sold by members
of the combination. The people can
hardly hope for any consideration in
the operation of these selfish schemes.
If, however, in the absence of such
combination heslthy and free COM
petition reduces the price of any par
ticular dutiable article of home pro-
duction below the limit which it
might otherwise reach under our
tariff laws and if with such reduced
price its manufacturer continues to
receive abnormal profit it is entirely
evident that thing has been dis
covered which should be fully scruti-
nized in an effort to reduce taxtion.
The necessity of combination to
maintain the price of commodity to
the tariff point furnishes proof that
some one is willing to accept lower
pri 1es for such commodity and that
prices are remunerative and lower
produced by competition prove the
same thing Thus where either of
these conditions exists case would
seem to he presented for an easy re-
duction of taxation.
REDUCTION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES.
The considerations which have been
presented touching our tariff laws are
intended only to enforce an earnest
recommendation that the surplus rev.
enues Of the government be prevented
by the reduction of our customs du-
ties and at the same time to empha-
size suggestion that in accomplish
ing this purpose, we may discharge q
double duty to our people by grant
ing to them q measure of relief from
tariff taxation In quarters where it is
most needed and from sources
whence it can be most fairly and
justly accorded. Nor can the pre-
sentation made of such considera-
tions be With any degree OF fair
mess regarded as evidence of un-
Giendliness toward our manufactur-
ers' interests or of any lack Of appre-
cia, ion of their value and Importance.
These interests constitute a leading
and most substantial element of our
national greatness and furnish the
proud proof of our country's progress,
but if i'm the emergency that presses
upon US our manufacturers are asked
to surrender something for the public
good and to avert disaster their pa
triotism as well as gratified recog-
milton of advantages already afforded
should lead them to willing co-opera
ton. No demand is made that they
shall forego all the benefits of the
government regard, but they cannot
fail to be admonished of their duty as
well as their enlightened self-interest
and safety when they are reminded
of the fact that the financial panic
and collapse to which the present
condition tends afford no greater
shelter or protection to our manufac
lures than to our other important en-
| terprises, An opportunity for safe
| careful and deliberate reform is nov
| offered and none of us. should be On
mindful of q time when an abused
and irritated people, needless o
those who have resisted timely an,